About Optimal First Aid
Optimal First Aid is a veteran owned Devon based training provider that deliver First Aid and CPR courses for small and large organisations. Our training is delivered from knowledge and experience with real time situations gained with training and experiences from the Armed Forces, Ambulance service and Mountain Rescue.
We deliver practical, relevant and engaging first aid training. Delivered by a small group of extraordinary, unique people and provide the most hands-on, practical, relevant and engaging first aid courses available.
Optimal First Aid was founded by Toby Osborne following a successful career in the British Army. An outdoor enthusiast with medical experience developed across a wide range of multi-cultural environments in both training and high pressure, operational environments. These included Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan along with training exercises throughout the world. From leaving the Army Toby operated overseas as a contractor delivering first aid training and delivery of specialist medical courses in challenging circumstances both in the classroom and outdoor environments. Most noticeably training and support of a local national company in Northern Iraq and a 3-year mentoring and training project in Saudi Arabia. From returning home he noticed firsthand how such poor quality some first aid training was delivered in the UK where many organisations were treating training as a tick in the box exercise.
Why choose us - Time for a change, people deserve better.
The mission was clear, set the standard, deliver the training to the highest quality anywhere to anyone. Optimal was formed to offer an extensive range of training courses and qualifications for both workplace, urban and remote environments
Optimal First Aid training courses are based on knowledge and experience in real situations. We are subject matter experts that have a wealth of practical, hands-on real-life experience in the field.
Pre-hospital care qualifications alongside Combat Medic qualifications gained from the British Army and continuous personal development (CPD) gives us a unique edge, but its not just the qualifications, we have the experience. Holding a qualification is vital but answering difficult questions or building competence and confidence requires various skills, knowledge and background.
Staying awake on a course – Death by PowerPoint!
Im sure we have all heard this? More coffee anyone?! Well let’s face it, PowerPoint is usually used very poorly. It can show that the trainer has little knowledge on the subject when they just read from slide to slide.
PowerPoint, when used correctly can be a very useful tool for a first aid class, you won’t see much of it on our basic courses if at all, we use other methods – ENGAGMENT!
Our regulated training courses:
Regulated – under control.
Our high quality training courses are controlled by us. What does that mean? Well, our basic courses such as workplace Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work to our 16 Hour Outdoor First Aid are regulated by Optimal’s strict but very competent team of instructors and quality assurance team. This allows us to move with the times of updates and guidelines from Resuscitation Council UK or Royal College of Surgeons Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care whilst meeting the requirements of The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.
Accredited – professional body or organisation has assessed and approved
Our higher-spec courses, such as FPOS, and our nationally recognised FREC 3 Course in Devon, have been approved by professional bodies to ensure they meet rigorous standards of quality and practice. These accredited courses count towards professional qualifications or registration with a professional body.
We aim to deliver the best training.
Realistic training
Our training courses are delivered in pragmatic style where we interact and engage whilst using our method of practical training giving delegates as realistic as possible scenarios to develop a true understanding of an emergency. This is by far not just a fun way of learning but the best way to ensure delegates engage and learn.
Our courses apply knowledge and skills in realistic scenarios to develop a true understanding of the subject and build confidence in how to deal with an injured or ill casualty. With years of frontline and operational experience, we deliver advanced first aid training for security teams, event medics, and remote workers across the South West. Our flagship FREC 3 Course in Devon equips learners with the skills to act confidently as first responders in high-risk environments.
Once you have attended one of courses you will find it different to others you previously have been on, our great delegates get really involved and engage with the subject matter. The positive feedback we receive is a credit to us and our training programmes.
